DIY mini snow globe ornament. Learn how to make a mini snow globe ornament for your Christmas tree.
It’s never too early for a little Christmas Crafting! If you are in a crafting mood, this is a simple craft to make now to give or to have ready to decorate your tree when the holiday season is here.
I recently shared my love for little bottle brush trees, so when I found these clear plastic old-fashioned Christmas light bulb ornaments at Jo-Ann’s, I knew they would be perfect for mini snow globes with tiny bottle brush trees.
What you need to make a mini snow globe (without water)
Here’s what you’ll need for this project (I found all these items at Jo-Ann’s craft store):
- clear plastic old-fashioned Christmas light bulb ornaments (4inches tall)
- Martha Stewart course white glitter
- mini bottle brush trees (3inches tall)
- red and white striped baker’s twine
- a low temp hot glue gun
How to make a Mini Snow Globe Ornament (without water)
To start, I gave the tiny bottle brush trees a bath in a little water with a tiny bit of bleach. This step is completely optional. These little trees were really dark in color and I wanted to lighten them up a bit. I’ve seen that you can do this to change the color of the trees completely, by bleaching and then dying them, but I just wanted the same tone, just lighter. I really like how they turned out. They were also covered in lots of that flocking stuff, and I wanted it to not be so heavy, so I ran a plastic comb through the little trees while they were in the water. Then I rinsed and dried them really well.
Once rinsed and dried, I checked to see if they would fit inside of these bulb ornaments, and they fit perfectly (yippee). I then gave a little dab of hot glue to the bottom wood piece of each tiny tree and then used a wooden skewer to press it down in the bottom center. Next use a funnel to add the course white glitter to each one.
To finish them off, I added a few dabs of hot glue to the lid of each one to secure the lid on tight. Then I just tied a bow of red and white baker’s twine onto each each one. You could do a bow or use the baker’s twine as the actual hanger itself.
Christmas washi tape works great as little stands to hold these up right. These would make adorable place settings for a fancy Christmas dinner too. You could personalize them with little tiny name banners inside.
Different Ways to Personalize this Craft:
- use different colored bottle brush trees: if you can’t find them in the 3 inch size, you can always do a water bath with bleach to remove existing dark green to then die them different colors
- add monograms or tiny banners with family names inside
- add names to the outside with tiny letter stickers or custom vinyl letters
- rather than course glitter, add candy sprinkles or tiny colorful beads
Or just hang them on the tree.
Either way, they’re really sweet.
FAQs:
-
- Where to find the supplies online? Amazon! 4inch clear plastic Christmas bulbs here. 3inch bottle brush trees here and course white glitter.
- Where do you find the mini bottle brush trees in stores? – Often times you can find them in the craft stores in the section with all the tiny Christmas Village things.
- Where do I find the clear plastic Christmas light bulb? – If you are unable to find them at Joanns Craft store, try Michaels or Hobby Lobby…or read the comment section for where others have had luck finding them.
- How do you keep the glitter from falling out of the top? There is a hole at the top of the metal top of the ornament. I kept mine open at the top, but if you want to seal it off, you can add a big dab of hot glue to the top “lid” to keep the glitter from falling out of the top.
- Will I make them for you? Sadly no…sorry. These have been so popular, that I have now seen them sold in Joanns stores ornament section fully created just like this! So you can buy them without crafting (if you are not into crafting)! Not sure if they are available this season, but I have seen them a few years past.
MORE Christmas ideas we LOVE:
25+ Beautiful Christmas Wreaths
25+ Grinch Crafts and Cute Treats
25+ Ornaments Kids Can Make!
25+ Rudolph Crafts, Gifts and Treats
Debbie says
Cutest ever!
Carol says
Adorable! Have got to be on the lookout for these Christmas bulb shaped ornaments!
Helen Membrila says
Could you tell me where you got the ornaments as we don’t have a Joannes in town and I can’t find them on their website and I am eager to try to make my own! Many thanks
kami says
Hi Helen! Oh no! I can’t find them on the site either. Where do you live? I even tried scanning the barcode image with the scanner on my phone to see if it would bring something up, but no luck.
Tell me where you live.
Jill says
I found them at AC Moore in Virginia. They are the same as in the picture. I painted the outside of mine with glue and rolled in glitter to make a specific color ornament. Here is a link to one of their craft ideas: http://www.acmoore.com/nicole-0153-crafts-winter-wonderland-bulb-ornament.html
Cristin says
http://www.joann.com/holiday-inspirations-replacement-bulbs-set-of-4/12642799.html#q=christmas+bulbs&start=2
Is this them? I want to try this – so cute and easy!
kami says
No, I think those are actual light bulbs. Shoot. I guess the ornaments are hard to find.
Shari says
I realize these comments are old, but I found the items (specifically the light bulbs) at my Joanns store in Wisconsin on August 1st. Yes, August. I just bought a bunch and they are almost sold out. So glad I found them.
MA says
I found them at Hobby Lobby. Hope you have one close by. They had trees as well.
judy says
I just saw these bulbs at Joanns last night. Wish I had seen your post sooner. Oh well, its not like I won’t be back to Joanns. These are so cute.
kami says
I hope you can find them! 🙂
Shauna says
These are so sweet!
Sandy Kelley says
Hi!
I also live in a small town, (Martin, TN) that doesn’t have a JoAnn’s. I went to their website and couldn’t find them either. Tried typing in the bar code and every word of your discription. Is there any place else that carries these ornaments. I love the craft and would like to do it. Thanks for your help.
kami says
We found some on Amazon, but they were sold out. Bummer! Sorry they are hard to find.
michelle says
I live close to Martin, TN (sorry, I’m a little late to the party), and I found a package of them at Hobby Lobby last year (2014). They were glass, though.
Carrie says
What about the mini trees?? Where did you find them! Thanks
kami says
I already had the mini trees from earlier. Try looking in those little villages like a Christmas village might have some tiny ones.
Renee says
Really really super cute!!!! So glad I found this on D&P Celebrations FB!
Lisa says
Omg. These are SO cute! Every year we make something to give to the teachers and helpers. This would be perfect!
Margaret says
I found the bulbs at Hobby Lobby. Now just need the trees
kami says
YAY!
Judi Johnson says
I do need to ask the pictures show a big gap at the top. How do you keep the glitter from falling out? Either when you store them or cats and or kids play around the tree? Did you seal it?
kami says
Hi Judi! I did not seal them. I keep them towards the top of my tree so they wont spill and I keep them up right when they are stored. You could try to seal them. Maybe a big dab of hot glue or something, to keep the lid from coming off and the glitter from coming out.
Judi Johnson says
Thank you I will see how to seal it
Addee bishop says
Did you find a way to seal the top? I’m making these as gifts and want to have the top sealed. Would be very interested in hearing what you did:-)
kami says
Hi Addee – sorry if my response is too late, Im just now seeing this. You could try a cotton ball or tinfoil or tape.
Piglet says
I found these bulbs at Joann’s – but the opening is so small…how in the world did you get that tree to fit into that small opening???
kami says
They are REALLY tiny trees. 🙂
Kara says
i think these are the cutest ornaments. I’m in the process of making them now, one question I had is after you add the glitter how do you seal the top off? When I just put the top of the bulb back on there still remains the hole and if I tip it all the glitter falls out.
Thanks for your help
kami says
I didn’t seal the top, you could add a little tinfoil or something if you’re worried. I just hang them higher up on the tree.
Maja says
hi kami is it possiblle to buy mini snow globe ornament maded by you? I need 25
I will wait for your answer
thank you
Maja
Jennifer says
These can be tricky, I had trouble dropping my tree straight down inside the bulb. The hot glue would stick to the sides inside the bulb. I recommend holding the tree with tweezers and lowering it down that way. It worked a lot better than my fingers!
Kathy says
I have several of these bulbs and don’t want to use for Christmas ideas….what other things can I put in them? There is no seal at the top, so cannot be a liquid or water in them ulb, the top silver part is a hole.
kami says
Hi Kathy! You could do some cute Easter trinkets! Or maybe airplants…that would be fun!
Carol says
These are so cute! Does anyone remember what size treat fit in there??? The ornaments say there 4 1/2 inches tall……I’m guessing between 2 and 3 inches???? TIA
lori says
hi there……how do I get my tree in the bulb……do i trim it? I dont have anything to push it thru! Help!!
kami says
Hi Lori! I had really tiny trees that fit right in. It’s hard to help…but you could totally cut them to fit!
Alison says
Hello!!
I may be too late to be trying this out, but I just think these are too cute. Can you tell me where you bought each supply specifically, I’m hoping I can find it all in one place but I’ll take my chances!
Kind regards
Alison
Sarah S. says
These ornaments are extremely pretty for how easy they are to make. Thank you for sharing this. I have been trying to make something similar for years but they never turn out as nice as these of course,
Jamie says
I will be trying these as gifts this year. Love the idea. Found all items needed at Craft Stores. Just put out Christmas ornaments a couple weeks ago in stores. I plan on sealing the top so when I’m done I will reply what worked for me. Cute!!!
Dana says
Hi , these are adorable! I’ll be making them for an annual ornament exchange. What size trees did you use? I probably won’t use the base but , did you put the whole roll of washi tape on bottom?
kami says
Hi Dana! I can’t tell you exact measurements, but the trees just need to be small enough to fit inside. The ornament is just resting on top of the roll of washi tape.
Sherry says
I bought all the supplies on Amazon the bulbs are 4 inches tall, I bought 3″ inch trees but the base was a smidge to big, found 1 1/2 inch trees at factory craft and on Amazon the base is 1/2 inch, I measured the opening and it’s 1/2 too so may have to sand down a bit waiting for the trees to arrive. Hope this information helps for everyone.
Baby Group says
Very cool!!! This decor can be stolen and a holiday for Halloween!
diana cann says
What is the stand made from? I didn’t see it in the comments.
Kami says
Hi Diana! The stand is just a roll of Christmas patterned washi tape.
Melissa Corrigan says
I am crafting these adorable ornaments. The vintage bulb I have found has a hole in the hanger. How is the glitter kept inside. I give these as gifts. I don’t want the glitter to get out.
Kami says
Hi Melissa!
I left mine open, but I’m thinking you could add a dab of hot glue to the top to keep the glitter in.
Nicol Natale says
Hello!
My name is Nicol Natale and I’m a writer for WomansDay.com. We love your Mini snow Globe Ornament and would love to feature one image from the project in a DIY Christmas Ornament story on WomansDay.com. Of course, we will include a credit to No Biggie and link back to your website! We think our readers will really enjoy your craft and we’re excited to show support for your blog and hopefully send traffic your way.
Just a heads up that if you grant us permission to include your image, the story could potentially be syndicated and featured on our sister sites such as CountryLiving.com, WomansDay.com, and others, which will mean even more exposure for you.
Also, if you didn’t take the photo yourself, can you please share the name of the photographer and their contact info with us? That would be great!
Let us know if it’s okay to include your image and a link to your blog on our site by EOD Wednesday, 10/24 — and definitely keep us in the loop about other projects you have coming up. We always love to feature fun ideas from creative blogs like yours.
Thanks!
Nicol